UWs Half Acre Recreation and Wellness Center to Open Sept. 28

Half Acre Recreation and Wellness Center at the University of Wyoming will reopen with limited hours and modified services beginning Monday, Sept. 28.

The popular facility for the campus community has been closed since UW’s classes went online last March because of COVID-19 concerns.

“The safety of our campus community is our number one priority, and we have been working hard to develop a plan to reopen based on University of Wyoming, state of Wyoming, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines,” says Lena Newlin, Half Acre Recreation and Wellness Center assistant director.

With UW President Ed Seidel determining that the campus moves on to Phase 3 of the return plan beginning Sept. 28, Campus Recreation can begin to welcome back currently enrolled UW students, and also current faculty and staff who are participating in the bridge testing program and who will continue to participate once the surveillance testing program is in place.

Because of restrictions within the on-campus testing programs, board retired members, cooperating agency members, spouses, dependents and other guests will not have access to the facility, says Pat Moran, the facility’s director.

“When we reopen our doors, things will look a little different in the gym,” he adds.

A video to help patrons understand what to expect at Half Acre this fall has been created.

New initiatives in place to keep the campus community safe are:

-- All patrons will participate in daily screening via the COVID Pass.

-- Face coverings will be required at all times; six-foot distancing will be followed; and an emphasis on good hand hygiene will be practiced.

-- A reservation system for all workouts will be followed. Reservation blocks will be available in 75-minute increments and can be made up to three days in advance through the Campus Recreation website beginning today (Friday) at 10:30 a.m. More information on making a reservation is available from the workout sign-up tutorial video.

Other programs offered through the Outdoor Program, Recreational Sports Office, group fitness program and the Wellness Center office are scheduled through separate systems and can be found on the Campus Recreation website at www.uwyo.edu/rec/.

No appointments are required for general Wellness Center information or to visit the facility’s business office.

More information on the Return to Campus webpage details the hours of operation, services and opportunities that will be available when Half Acre reopens.

In addition, membership accounts will continue to be put on hold for individuals who may not want to return to the facility at this time, Moran says.

Patrons enrolled in the bridge testing program who would like to resume access to Half Acre Recreation and Wellness Center should contact the business office during regular business hours -- Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. -- by calling (307) 766-5586 or emailing rec@uwyo.edu for assistance with each individual’s specific situation.

For more information, call Half Acre Recreation and Wellness Center’s business office.

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